We lost my childrens father to melanoma on Dec. 25, 2001, and I wanted to share some important information about the skin cancer. If you would like to see our personal story, you can visit the web site me & a friend did in his memory. Always Loved

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a disease of the skin in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the cells that color the skin (melanocytes). Melanoma usually occurs in adults, but it may occasionally be found in children and adolescents. The skin protects the body against heat, light, infection, and injury. It is made up of two main layers: the epidermis (the top layer) and dermis (the inner layer). Melanocytes are found in the epidermis and they contain melanin, which gives the skin its color. Melanoma is sometimes called cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma.

Melanoma is a more serious type of cancer than the more common skin cancers, basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer, which begin in the basal or squamous cells of the epidermis. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Skin Cancer Treatment for more information.)

Melanoma can spread (metastasize) quickly to other parts of the body through the lymph system or through the blood. (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body; they produce and store infection-fighting cells.) A doctor should be seen if a person has any of the following warning signs of melanoma: change in the size, shape, or color of a mole; oozing or bleeding from a mole; or a mole that feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender to the touch. Melanoma can also appear on the body as a new mole. Men most often get melanoma on the trunk (the area of the body between the shoulders and hips) or on the head or neck; women most often get melanoma on the arms and legs.

If there are signs of skin cancer, the doctor will examine the skin carefully. If a mole or pigmented area doesn't look normal, the doctor will cut it out (called local excision) and look at it under the microscope to see if it contains cancer. This is usually done in a doctor's office. It is important that this biopsy is done correctly.
Here is a link with some more information about it.
Melanoma Education Foundation

Lady Sbrina , firstly I would like to say that I am sorry for the loss your familly has had and secondly I would like to say thank you for the time you have put into this . Last year my eldest boy had a mole removed from his back he has lots of spots becuase the mellatonin in his skin is a little rebeliuos due to his NF . but this one was different it was dark it was hairy and it changed shape it was scary . Fortunately for us it was benign but that wont be the last time we have to get a tumor lump or mole removed so any information is allways appreciated ..
Thank you again

Your very welcome. Getting the information out was the reason I posted this & made the site in his memory. My son has also had a birthmark removed. It was not cancerous now, but could have turned to what his father had later in life. It is just safer to have them removed early.

Thank you Lady Sabrina!

I have just now (as we're speeking) gotten my boyfriend to realise that he HAS TO SEE A DOCTOR!! I've been nagging him about this for 3 years, and finally he took my point!
He's got some moles that look kind of bad, and they've got several of the symptoms!

To night I got him to agree to get a doctor appointment! YEAAAH!!
FINALY!!!

So THANK YOU!

I am so sorry for your loss!

Love from Ruthie!

Lady Sabrina,
Sorry about your loss..i admire you wanting to get the information out in order to help others.

Thanks Ruthie & Tess.

Ruthie, I am so glad you got your boyrfriend to agree to get those moles checked out. It is a cancer that is a lot more dangerous than people realize. I will keep my fingers crossed Ruthie, that your boyfriends moles are not melanoma.

We have some ups & downs yet due to his loss. For the most part, we know he is not in pain anymore, and we do find some peace in that.

For once i'm going to be serious...

Ruthie, i hope he doesn't have melanoma.

And Lady Sabrina,i'm also sorry for your loss.

My mum had it once, but she managed to get it treated and now she's fine.

So Ruthie don't worry because if he has it, there is a chance of it being treated.

Thank you to anyone who have read this especially Ruthie and Lady Sabrina!

Thanks so much for your reply blitzballwhizzkid. I am so glad your mom was able to be treated.

If caught early enough, it can be treated, or removed, but it is important even then to continue to see a cancer specialist for the rest of your life.

See, Tim 1st had it in form of a "spot" on his back in about 1991. The Dr. then told us he had a 50/50 chance, (very scary words to hear!) Meaning if they caught it before it hit his system, he would survive, but if it hit his system, his chances were slim to none. Lucky for us then, it had not reached his system at that time.

It came back on him internally about 9 years later & he had neglected to see the cancer specialist like recommended for a few years, so it was at stage 4 by the time it was found & this is what cost him his life. Melanoma spreads very quickly once it hits your system. They tried every treatment they could with Tim, but unfortunately it was too late.

That is why I wanted to stress catching it early, as it can save your life. I know I make this sound rather grim, and it is not my intention to do so. I am just trying to stress the importance of having it looked into as soon as you can.